"It's like the Arabian Nights," thought Ben, "and Miss Sinclair must be a fairy."
He took out his scanty wardrobe from the carpetbag, and put it away in one of the drawers of the bureau.
"I might just as well enjoy all the privileges of the hotel," he said to himself.
He took out his brush and comb, and brushed his hair. Then he locked the door of No. 66 and went down-stairs to the ladies' parlor.
He did not have to wait long. In five minutes Miss Sinclair made her appearance.
"Ben," she said, "here is the check for my trunk. You may take it down to the office and ask them to send for it. Then come back and I will acquaint you with some things I wish you to know."
Ben speedily reappeared, and at Miss Sinclair's request sat down beside her on a sofa.
"You must know, Ben," she commenced, "that I am flying from my guardian."
"I hope it's all right," said Ben, rather frightened. He was not sure but he was making himself liable to arrest for aiding and abetting Miss Sinclair's flight.
"You have no cause for alarm. He has no legal control over me, though by the terms of my father's will he retains charge of my property till I attain my twenty-fifth year. Before this, fourteen months must elapse. Meanwhile he is exerting all his influence to induce me to marry his son, so that the large property of which I am possessed may accrue to the benefit of his family."